In preparation for the dry season, the Department of Agriculture – Regional Field Office 1 (DA-RFO1) distributed a total of Php17,720,952 worth of agricultural interventions during a distribution activity held at the DA-Ilocos Sur Research and Experiment Center (ISREC), San Juan, Ilocos Sur on October 6, 2023.

2,009 bags of hybrid palay seeds worth Php9,643,200 were distributed to nine municipalities in Ilocos Sur’s first district.

Aside from hybrid seeds, the DA-RFO1’s Rice Banner program also distributed three (3) pump and engine sets, a recirculating dryer, and a combine harvester for a total of Php4,597,052.

Corn growers from Sto. Domingo also received a four-wheel tractor from Corn Banner Program, and three egg incubators were given to the Ilocos Sur Provincial Organic Producers under the Balik Probinsya, Bagong Pag-asa Program.

The activity was led by 1st District of Ilocos Sur Congressman Ronald V. Singson, along with San Juan Municipal Agriculturist Rommel Hilario, representative of San Juan Mayor Ma. Elaine Sarmiento, Provincial Rice Program Coordinator Engr. Julius Bragado, representative of Governor Jeremias “Jerry” Singson, and Agricultural Programs Coordinating Officer (APCO) for Ilocos Sur Mr. Jomar Dayap. Representatives from the MLGUs and various farmers associations also attended the distribution.